Ready or not holiday shopping is here! Even if you are not quite ready to even start until after Halloween, it’s definitely time to start planning and making a rough draft of your shopping list at least. If you’re anything like me, you’ve got quite a long list of ladies (and gentleman) to shop for and the idea of finding the perfect present for all of your family and friends can be a little bit overwhelming. So today, I am here to help you get your gifting done all in one place.

And that is why I have partnered with Braum’s An Affair of The Heart Tulsa and their vendors for the second time in a row this year! In fact this will be the only holiday guide that I put out this year. They do so many great shows all year long but I am always so excited for the holiday show. It’s a tad later in November too making it that much more exciting because it’s that much closer to Christmas. I feel like Tulsa really prides itself on being creative and independent, so it’s no wonder that so many local shoppers skip chain stores come the holidays. Thanks to Braum’s An Affair Of The Heart holiday shopping is like sifting through an overflowing treasure chest. The biggest challenge is narrowing down the abundance of choices. That’s where this lovely gift guide comes in that I curated with the AAOTH team.

This event is truly the one event I look forward to all year. Not only is this the place to find unique gifts but Braum’s An Affair of The Heart is just the best weekend to get together with your family and/or best girlfriends and spend some time together shopping and doing something off the beaten path. It’s such a great way to get into the holiday spirit too.

“Premiering in 1985, An Affair of the Heart has grown into a unique marketplace where local and national crafters, artisans, boutique owners and collectors can share and sell their products with the general public.”

Braum’s An Affair Of The Heart Tulsa provides shoppers with a unique opportunity to browse hundreds of retailers (about 500 to be exact) from across the nation selling unique, one-of-a-kind items celebrating the craft, skill, art and style of the vendor. It exhibits the largest arts, crafts and antiques show in Oklahoma, a unique marketplace where local and national crofters, artisans, boutique owners and collectors can share and sell their products with the general public. Many of these vendors are represented on-line only so I especially love that this is the one show where you can experience their products in a completely different way. The market for arts and crafts has changed significantly. The traditional crafters are now exhibiting alongside a younger generation of artisans. Hand-made items are still valued, but young retailers can also showcase their goods and products with or without a storefront. I love being able to touch something too and just see things up close and personal—trying on clothes is so important too because sometimes the sizes vary so much so you really take a chance and hope for the best when purchasing apparel on-line. There is also something so special to me about meeting the emerging and established makers behind these beautiful products. They all have such fascinating stories! (will be sharing more on their stories next week)

You will find so many rows of booths and creative displays with unique finds consisting of some fabulous boutique clothing and accessories, holiday decor, art prints, beauty products, candles, coffee mugs, and so much more! There truly is something for everyone on your list! And I have no doubt in my mind that you will end up doing some personal shopping too! One for you, two for me-that’s my motto anyway.

I am so stoked to introduce you to some amazing vendors that you will meet at the November show! I have chosen fourteen of my favorite holiday gift items that you will be able to shop at this year’s show. I made sure to include a nice range of price points too for every budget!

There is something so truly special about all of these items! So scroll down to get the deets and find something you love. I even divided them into categories this year to make things super easy for you starting with amazing gifts for the host!

Comet Dust Candle Ring / 2. Buffalo Plaid Dog Collars, Bandanas, and Bow Ties / 3. Buffalo Santa Mug / 4. Santa's Ride 3 Pillar Mantlepiece / 5. Joie de Vivre Sign / 6. Artisan Candles / 7. Cardigan + Infinity Scarf / 8. Oak Serving Board / 9. Oklahoma Ornaments / 10. Oklahoma Scissortail Water Color Print (Signed Print) / 11. Dry Body Oil / 12. Trendy Fashionable Pieces / 13. Soups, Dips, Cobbler, Pie, and Cheeseball Mixes /14. Chile Seasoning

Holiday gift-giving is the perfect time to express your style and creativity, and show appreciation for the special person in your life. I love giving gifts! And even more so if they feel personal (looking at you, oh-so-generic gift card).

GIFTS FOR THE HOST

‘Tis the season of attending and hosting holiday soirées! I firmly believe that as a guest we should never arrive to a party empty handed.

If a candle seems like a cliché host gift, it’s probably because you’ve never seen Far Wilde Artisan Candles. They go “far and wild” to locate botanic essences which challenge their own olfactory aesthetics, in an effort to bring us an utterly original and delightful burning experience. May I suggest the two candles I picked…Farwilde No. 12—Ginger – Pear – Frankincense-fallen leaves, blended with oak, pear, and exotic spices evokes the warmth of a dying fire on a crisp autumn evening. And of course I have Farwilde No. 83-Lavender – Alpine Grass – Amber-clean, herbaceous lavender mingled with freshly cut mountain grass balanced with a touch of warm, rich amber. It transports me to the South of France. I cannot wait to stock up on their limited edition holiday candle too..Farwilde No. 25- Essence de Noël. They have such a special story that you should read about here.

Gift some delish Willis Chile Seasoning! I personally love tasting new things, I love being surprised with unexpected gifts (who doesn’t?!) Not only is this such a nice change from the cookies and candy, it is something that your hosts get to use all winter long. This is a great mix to give away, but it’s also great to just keep in your spice cupboard. I keep a supply constantly on hand and use it for not only chili, but seasoning chicken and beef, fajitas, veggies on the grill, etc. It’s a handy thing to have around! It truly makes the best hearty Chile!!!

Another sure way to land that invitation to next year’s holiday party is gifting your host a fabulous soup and/or dip mix from All of Us Old Plantation Soups and Dips. Today their catalog has expanded to seventeen different dips, twenty-five different soups, three different pies, and a full line of bread and cobbler mixes. They don’t use fancy machinery or sophisticated gadgets to blend their mixes. They use a measuring scoop, lots of bowls, and plenty of elbow grease. Every bag is sealed by hand and every bag is labeled by hand which is so impressive to me! It’s such a lovely gesture. If you are even needing to bring something for everyone to nibble on at the party I highly recommend using one of their cheese ball mixes!

GIFTS FOR FURRY FRIENDS And DOG LOVERS

We are mad about plaid this holiday season and loving the red and black buffalo check bandanas, collars, and bow ties from Dog Collar World. The collars are made with a comfortable cotton fabric with interior stabilizer. They are folded and sewn for eight layers of strength. The bandanas consist of two layers of cotton fabric. They are professionally serged finish for clean and polished look. They feature a curved side release buckle for easy clip on attachment. No tying necessary which is so good because our furry kids won’t lose them on their walks. Dog Collar World will embroider too!! The bow ties are also a favorite of ours because of the velcro attachment that fits any collar! Henry and Melvin will be wearing theirs in their holiday portraits!

Gifts for The Home

Hoping to impress a home decor enthusiast?! I have four wonderful decor finds to share with you!

Of course we have already talked about Far Wilde Artisan Candles in the host category but these candles make great gifts for the home decor lover too! I’m a practical gift giver, so I like giving people something either that I think they need, or they would enjoy and not necessarily buy for themselves. I feel like a candles are an easy gift for anybody!

I adore these handcrafted signs from H&R Pallet Designs. Dawn will provide you with timeless decor that will help make your house a home with uncompromised quality and always at an affordable price. She has such a great variety of signs that she makes that you can see here. And she takes custom orders too. I wanted something very French and she delivered! Who wouldn’t want a special sign with their favorite sayings to decorate their home?!

Decorating for the holiday is one of my favorite things to do and I love gifting holiday decor to family members who love it too and already have everything! These two festive gifts from Summer’s Market are just too darling. The Santa's Ride 3 Pillar Mantlepiece is the perfect item to place on your mantle. And I cannot wait to create a gorgeous holiday tablescape with the White Comet Dust Candle Ring!

Gifts for the ECO CHIC beauty lover

JOSETTE BODYCARE believes all women deserve being pampered and loved. They make luxurious body care products with high quality, safe, natural and organic ingredients for women. I am obsessed with their Lavender Dry Body Oil. It's a light weight, non-greasy oil that is perfect for anytime. However, it is most loved and appreciated when you are in a hurry. You know, when you jump in the shower before you've got to be somewhere at some certain time. You can blot the excess water off your skin and spritz your body with your favorite scented body oil. It will soak in by the time you put your clothes on. It glides on effortlessly, absorbs quickly and leaves the skin feeling soft and nourished. It is great for people that do not like the feel of oils. It can also be used on the hair to tame the frizz!! This has been my saving grace in this humidity. Is it me or is oil the new moisturizer?

Cheers to radiant, satiny-smooth skin and smooth gorgeous locks!

GIfts for the fashionista

Shopping for someone who's all about that #OOTD?

We all have that one friend: She’s impeccably stylish and, therefore, hard to shop for during the holidays. If you’re wondering what to get for the woman in your life who seems to be especially fashion-savvy, I am here to help.

Urban.ish has some very trendy and fashionable pieces at an affordable price point! I am loving the Black Raw Hem Crop Flare Jeans. They are so soft and stretchy. And I am living for anything Rust colored right now so this bohemian top is a must! It’s so flattering and fun. They are located in Duncan Oklahoma so I am really excited that they will be at AAOTH in November because I have my eye on so many things that I want to try on! I just bought some high waisted palazzo pants from here the other day in addition to the top and denim pictured and I cannot wait to get them in the mail.

Gifts for the traveler

Cardigans and infinity scarves are such great gifts for that digital nomad in your life and Jade Creek Boutique has some gorgeous ones right now! Mustard yellow is a staple for any closet ALL year round and especially for Fall! This lightweight fine knit cardigan is perfect for chilly flights abroad. Why are airplanes also so cold?! LOL. It’s such a great layering piece to keep in your travel bag too as it will not take up any room and you can easily grab it if you need to layer. I love having a lightweight cardi at all times for restaurants, movie theaters, etc. Love a good fringed infinity scarf too for the same reasons and especially one in the color of the season! This can be worn unlooped for a longer fit or loop for a layered look. It’s the softest thing ever and even makes an amazing pillow on flight! I cannot wait to see what Jade Creek is bringing to the show this year!!! I plan on getting all Zoë’s Christmas presents here! She of course is a little fashionista and Jade Creek easily fits in that category too!

GIFTS FOR THE CHEF And/Or the artist

When I saw The Colorful Orchid’s serving boards..well it was love at first sight! Tracie is an artist who craves learning and experimenting with new mediums. She loves to blend different mediums together in new and often unexplored ways. And you can really see that in her pieces. She is currently exploring acrylic, oil, alcohol ink, encaustic, resin, glass, clay concrete and wood and It’s just so beautiful. Her pieces add character to the kitchen too so this can easily be gifted to a decor enthusiast. But any chef or artist is going to appreciate The Colorful Orchid so much!

Wild Hare Art Studio makes gift giving for the art lover so simple. Introducing you to them below the images.

GIFTS FOR THE HOME SICK

I couldn’t help but be inspired by the city I call home!

And Wild Hare Art Studio is here to remind you of the feeling of home, wherever you may be! They offer custom and original items born out of their Oklahoma heritage. Their offerings come from the creative visions and talents of David Prichard, John Hare and Justin Hare and will focus on original artwork, photography, canvas prints, apparel and more. Christmas ornaments will be available for purchase at the November show. Leading up to the release they will take you behind the scenes for a glimpse of the creative process behind these uniquely Oklahoman holiday ornaments too! Follow along here. I love the Oklahoma Scissortail Water Color Print (Signed Print) so much! It features original watercolor artwork by Wild Hare's own David Prichard.It’s printed on heavy stock photo paper too so it feels very luxe. And the Buffalo Santa Mug is the most adorable thing ever! Perfect for your favorite cup of coffee or hot chocolate!

GIFTS FOR THE FRANCOPHILE

I swear my sophisticated aesthetic was influenced by my former life in France. And because of that, I’ve been a Francophile my entire life. Just like that Hemingway quote predicts—the City of Light stays with you. It really does. And these two items would be perfect for any fellow Francophile on your list!

Hope to see you at Braum’s An Affair Of The Heart in Tulsa Nov. 22-24th at the RIVER SPIRIT EXPO
4145 E. 21st St.
$10 for all three days/kids 12 and under free

Friday, Nov. 22
9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 23
9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 24
11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Keep following along too as I will be featuring these items in another blog post next Friday and I will be hosting several giveaways from now until the show on my Instagram! I am giving away several tickets to the show and also VIP parking passes which enable you to park just a few feet from the front doors!!!!

https://www.aaoth.com/

#FindSomethingYouLove